Gilgit, seated figure

When seated in the European fashion, Maitreya (bodhisattva and buddha of the future) normally hold his hands in the dharmacakra mudra as above, and there is a stupa at the top of the mandorla behind him, but in this case the throne on which he was seated and the corresponding back panel are missing. Alternatively, this may be an image of the historical buddha. It is not uncommon for Gilgit and early Kashmir works to depict him this way. We will notice the V-shaped neck with tassels, the flat, wavy crown ribbons typical of the area, the broad facial features with heavy eyelids and the unusual crown.